Bilal
If there was one R&B artist for whom the neo-soul categorization seemed limiting, it was Philadelphia native Bilal. None of his recordings resembled the sycophantic worship of soul artists who thrived in the '60 and '70s, and it wasn't just because his voice — classically trained, capable of singing opera in seven languages — was so unique. While some inspirations were detectable, his recordings were wholly modern and became increasingly creative. His individuality led to being dropped from a major label, and he went several years without releasing any solo material. Through evangelism from his peers and word of mouth from his early fans, Bilal gained an insatiable following and was supported by sympathetic independent labels, where he was finally able to thrive creatively.
Bilal Sayeed Oliver came up in Germantown, a northwest neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A deep interest in jazz was fostered by his father, who took him to the city's clubs. Singing eventually became more than an interest. He attended New York's New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he received voice training, as well as training in jazz and big-band arrangements.
Grenique's Black Butterfly, a 1999 release on Motown, was the first major album to feature Bilal's vocals; he contributed to three songs. The following year, he established a deep connection to hip-hop by appearing on Common's Like Water for Chocolate and Guru's third Jazzmatazz album. These recordings led him into the Soulquarians, a rotating collective of collaborators who included Common, Jay Dee (aka J Dilla), the Roots' Ahmir Thompson, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Q-Tip, and Raphael Saadiq within its ranks.
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Album Review
- Canvas by Chris May
- Canvas by Abe Pollack
- Canvas by Mark F. Turner
- Canvas by Paul Olson
- Canvas by Jim Santella
- Canvas by Chris May
March 16, 2015
Bilal Announces Two Shows At Harlem Stage On March 27
November 13, 2014
Aloe Blacc, Bilal, Chris Turner, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Berklee...
January 30, 2013
Bilal "A Love Surreal" CD Release, Tuesday, February 12 At Highline...
October 29, 2007
Jill Newman Productions Presents Sly & the Family Stone, Jimmy Scott,...
November 14, 2006
Bilal Dec. 9-10 a the Iridium Jazz Club
October 28, 2002
Cassandra Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Rahsaan Patterson, Bilal, Mark Cohn,...